If building fires is a life skill you’re planning on teaching your kids and/or teens, I have a mnemonic for you today that will help you out.
This mnemonic is a poem written in the 1930’s. It will help you and your kids remember how different types of wood burn so that you can choose the right kinds when building your own fires.
Here it is.
Mnemonic for Building Fires
Here’s the poem that will make it easier for you to build the fire you want.
The Firewood Poem by Celia Congreve
Beechwood fires are bright and clear
If the logs are kept a year,
Chestnut’s only good they say,
If for logs ’tis laid away.
Make a fire of Elder tree,
Death within your house will be;
But ash new or ash old,
Is fit for a queen with crown of gold
Birch and fir logs burn too fast
Blaze up bright and do not last,
it is by the Irish said
Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread.
Elm wood burns like churchyard mould,
E’en the very flames are cold
But ash green or ash brown
Is fit for a queen with golden crown
Poplar gives a bitter smoke,
Fills your eyes and makes you choke,
Apple wood will scent your room
Pear wood smells like flowers in bloom
Oaken logs, if dry and old
keep away the winter’s cold
But ash wet or ash dry
a king shall warm his slippers by.
Know anyone else who could use this mnemonic for building fires? Share this post with them.
Many blessings,
